Magen David Adom, Israel Railways and police conduct emergency drill on new high speed train lane
After the holidays, the new high speed train lane leading to Jerusalem is expected to open. Awaiting the opening of the new lane and as part of the preparations, Israel Railways, Israel’s police, MDA and firefighting services conducted a drill on the 3rd of November with the objective of creating cooperation and acquire training regarding the handling of emergency situations throughout the lane.
During the drill, which was supervised by Israel’s Police, all national rescue and security organizations of Israel trained together in different scenarios through Israel Railways lane, emphasizing the fire with injured victims’ scenario which happened at the train’s high speed lane.
The drill included important scenarios, where MDA teams alongside additional emergency units trained their response to situations of fire happening at the area of existing lanes which lack proper access to ambulances and the only available way for MDA units to arrive is through the train. As part of the drill, MDA units entered the train at the station ‘Navon’ in Jerusalem and an additional train which left towards Latrun, until they reached the injured, there they received medical treatment and were rescued with the help of the train until they reached the ambulances and MDA’s intensive care units which evacuated them to the hospital. 8 intensive care units, 27 ambulances, a Jeepbulance, 101 MDA’s emergency dispatch center in Ayalon which also trained during the event.
The 5th of September another drill is expected to happen at ‘Navon’ station in Jerusalem which will simulate a multiple-victim terrorist attack. The drill will spread through multiple levels of the station which reach a depth of 80 meters below ground level. 3 intensive care units, 9 ambulances, a Jeepbulance, and first aid units will participate in the drill.
MDA Director General, Eli Bin: “We are talking about a complicated and important drill that will train MDA forces on how to deal with fires inside the new Jerusalem lane, which includes many unique challenges. There is no doubt that the drill granted true knowledge and tools to our teams to enable them to save lives in ways that are out of the ordinary. The cooperation between different security organizations is a crucial factor in the success of saving lives, I wish to thank every group and organization that took part in the drill and of course MDA units and its staff, which continue to obtain new tools in order to provide the best emergency medical responses to the citizens of Israel. — From Magen David Adom
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American Jewish Committee appoints Gordon as its director of Muslim-Jewish relations
Ari Gordon has been named Director of U.S. Muslim-Jewish Relations for AJC (American Jewish Committee), the global Jewish advocacy organization. First created two years ago, this position marked a significant expansion of AJC programmatic activities aimed at deepening Muslim-Jewish understanding and engaging in constructive, cooperative interactions.
“Building effective partnerships between Muslims and Jews is an imperative for American Jewry today. It is a privilege to rejoin the Jewish organization that is leading the way,” said Gordon. “Differences notwithstanding, American Muslims and Jews can work together to safeguard the promise and freedoms of this country for all.”
Gordon succeeds Robert Silverman, AJC’s first Director of U.S. Muslim-Jewish Relations, who was instrumental in the formation and launch of the Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council (MJAC). The Council brings together 46 civil society, religious, and business leaders from across the United States to advocate for domestic policy issues of common concern.
“Ari Gordon combines a historian’s view of Judaism and Islam with a modern passion for the American Muslim and Jewish contexts,” said Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC Director of Interreligious and Intergroup Relations. “His return to AJC offers a bright future of continued stalwart leadership for our programs that advance and expand Muslim-Jewish understanding and cooperation in the U.S.”
Gordon previously worked at AJC in interreligious affairs from 2005-08 and 2010-11. During more recent years, he has served as an AJC Special Advisor for Interreligious and Intergroup Relations.
In early fall, Gordon will complete his doctorate in Islamic Studies and the History of Muslim-Jewish Relations at the University of Pennsylvania. He is fluent in Arabic and Hebrew. Gordon holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Yeshiva University and a M.T.S. in Islamic Studies from Harvard Divinity School. He also is a recipient of the prestigious Wexner Graduate Fellowship. — From American Jewish Committee
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‘Drowning Liberty’ dramatizes danger of plastic bottles
SodaStream International on Tuesday unveiled its “Drowning Liberty” installation in New York City’s Flatiron Plaza in partnership with Oceanic Society. The installation supports SodaStream’s mission to highlight the global threat of single-use plastic.
“Drowning Liberty” consists of a 20-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty, trapped inside a steel cage packed with single-use plastic bottles. SodaStream has created Drowning Liberty, which will visit other locations, to call attention to the skyrocketing rates of annual plastic pollution. In addition to the installation, SodaStream has created a limited edition “Be the Change” carbonating bottle, for use in making sparkling water at home, work or school. The special bottle features a drawing of the Earth and reminds users they should choose to “Love the world,” “Reduce their ecological footprint,” and “Reuse”.
As part of the campaign, SodaStream and Oceanic Society have created a sustainability pledge for individuals to sign as they commit to switching to a reusable bottle, decreasing their contribution to global plastic pollution. The first 10,000 people to take the pledge will receive a complimentary BE THE CHANGE bottle. A percentage of sales on SodaStream.com during the event will be donated to Oceanic Society to support its work in driving action for ocean conservation.
“We have no choice,” emphasized SodaStream CEO Daniel Birnbaum.“We have to go reusable. Annual plastic production is skyrocketing and the U.S. is one of the biggest polluters in the world. SodaStream stands up for what’s right and will always tell the truth. We’ve launched our pledge as a rallying cry. Together, we will liberate America from plastic straws, bags, cups and of course single-use plastic bottles—to significantly reduce the global plastic pollution epidemic. We cannot continue to ignore the facts – we need to act now: For our children.” — From SodaStream
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Bone Marrow Drive for Bride-to-Be
Ezer Mizion, the largest non-profit organization providing health support services in Israel and the largest Jewish bone marrow registry in the world saving lives globally, announced today that it is on a critical mission this High Holy Day season to seek urgent donations in order to facilitate testing for individuals suffering from life threatening illnesses in which a bone marrow transplant is the sole chance of survival. In the spirit of Rosh Hashanah, Ezer Mizion is promoting its #SharedLife campaign in full force. Ezer Mizion’s team is working diligently around the clock to facilitate testing for as many potential donor matches as possible, not just for Roni Cohen, but also for others, including the young and the elderly. — From Ezer Mizion
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Republican Jewish Commission hails appointment of Kyl
The Republican Jewish Coalition released the following statement lauding the appointment of Senator Jon Kyl to the Senate seat vacated by the passing of American hero, Senator John McCain.
The Republican Jewish Coalition thanks Governor Doug Ducey for making an outstanding pick to replace Senator McCain. There is no better way to honor the memory of John McCain than by replacing him with another exemplary public servant. Much like Senator McCain, Senator Kyl has an exemplary pro-Israel, pro-defense, conservative track record. Jon Kyl was the author of the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act which required the US to move our embassy from Tel Aviv to Israel’s capital, Jerusalem. That piece of legislation laid the ground work for President Trump’s momentous decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem earlier this year. Kyl’s previous work as a Senator also includes instrumental work on securing funding for the Arrow missile defense system and pressuring President Obama against unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian state. We are thrilled with this appointment and know that the people of Arizona will be well represented, again, by Jon Kyl. — From Republican Jewish Coalition
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Education Department to employ IRHA working definition of Anti-Semitism in college bias cases
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) salutes the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights decision to employ the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Anti-Semitism when examining questions of anti-Semitism on college campuses under Title VI.
“In determining whether students face discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived Jewish ancestry, we rely where appropriate upon widely established definitions of anti-Semitism,” stated Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Ken Marcus. “The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition is widely used by governmental agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, and is used by OCR as well.” The Marcus statement reiterates the full IHRA definition including its examples.
While welcoming the decision to use the definition in matters relating to Title VI, AJC also noted that the Department of Education must always be mindful of the importance of free and open speech on college campuses.
AJC has long maintained that the Working Definition is an important educational tool in identifying anti-Semitism in all its various manifestations. AJC was involved in the original drafting of the definition 14 years ago and continues to urge European governments to adopt it. The definition was adopted by the 31-nation IHRA in 2016 and recommended for use by the European Parliament in 2017.
The Department of Education decision effectively carries out the recommendation of the bipartisan Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, which is currently pending action in the U.S. House of Representatives. It also provides a clear and compelling example of the United States making use of the definition that it urges other countries to employ.
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Preceding culled from news releases. Send yours to editor@sdjewishworld.com
Congressman Brad Sherman, D-California, had this comment about the Education Department accepting the State Department definition of anti-Semitism:
In a precedent-setting move, the U.S. Department of Education has employed the U.S. State Department’s definition of anti-Semitism to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. This is a milestone in an eight-year effort to protect Jewish college students from anti-Semitism masquerading as legitimate criticism of the Israeli government.
The effort began in 2010, when Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), working with Jewish community groups, convinced President Obama’s Department of Education that Title VI applied to Jewish students. Title VI protects against discrimination based on “race or national origin,” and a previous Bush Administration policy had excluded Jews as “merely a religion.”
Anti-Semites have often claimed that their actions are merely fair criticisms of Israel. For eight years, Congressman Sherman pushed for a definition of anti-Semitism that would include calling for the abolition of the Jewish State.
“You cannot protect Jewish students from anti-Semitism unless you define anti-Semitism,” Sherman said.
While the Department of Education has for eight years refused to define anti-Semitism, the Department now has instructed its field offices to employ the State Department definition of anti-Semitism which includes: “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.”
The current State Department definition was developed by a 31-nation organization known as the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance). The full text is available here.
“I look forward to vigorous enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act against those who harass Jewish students with claims that the only nation-state that should be obliterated is the nation-state of the Jews,” Sherman said.
Sherman continued, “I applaud the Department of Education for using the same definition of anti-Semitism as the State Department. After all, if our diplomats are using a definition to criticize a foreign government, our own government should live by that definition.”